Blog

It was pointed out to me on Reformation Sunday that "you know, the organ can be played quietly too," to which I replied "Not on Reformation Sunday!" Meanwhile, I thought I'd play an organ piece on the soft end of the musical loudness spectrum. (Neener neener!) (more↠)

Mozart was once approached by a young man who was interested in Mozart's advice on how to compose a symphony. Since he was still very young, Mozart recommended that he start by composing ballads (songs). Surprised, the young man responded, "But you wrote symphonies when you were only ten years old." "But I didn't have to ask how," countered Mozart. (more↠)

Jan Hus (1369–1415) was one of the earliest reformers — something of a "John the Baptist" laying the groundwork for the Reformation that was to come a century later. Hus was a Czech professor and preacher who — influenced by England's John Wycliffe (1331–1384) — railed against the moral and theological scandals of the Church of his day, including 'indulgences' and the idea of Purgatory. Hus also promoted the scurrilous ideas of Scripture in the local language of the people, congregational hymn singing, and married priests. For his efforts he was burned at the stake. (more↠)